Composition for softening steel.



enoaea runes area, or new "roan, NLYJ COMPOSITION FOR SOFTENING STEELSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented F-ebi 22, 191%..

No Drawing. Original application filed May 29, 1909, Serial No. 499,074.Divided and this application filed November 22, 1909.

Serial No. 529,189.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Forms DIEZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, in the borough of Manhattan, county and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inComposition for Softening Steel, of which the following is a clear,full, and exact description.

This invention relates to a-eomposition for softening steel for whichapplication for United States patent has been filed under date of May29, 1909, S. N. 499,074: and of which this application is a division.

This invention has reference to improvements in composition forsoftening steel and is designed to provide a com os'ition by means ofwhich steel may be so tened ina manner which will permit the readyengraving or pressing of designs in the steel surface, but notpreventing the subsequent hardening of the steel to any desired degree.

By the-present invention a steel block or mass is softened to aboutthe'degree of softness of ordinary copper and a 5 'gn may then bereadily engraved in the e .el or impressed therein with the samefacility that .the design may be engraved or impressed in a copper blocor plate and afterward by the ordinary processes of hardening the steelblock or plate with the design engraved or impressed therein may be sohardened as to be utilized as a die in the usual manner. Not only is thesoftened steel adapted for engraving or diesinking but it is also ofadvantage for being worked in an ordinary lathe. I

In carryiiig out the invention there are first provided an alkalineearth base preferably as calcined byster shells, and calcium oxid whichhas been broken down by exposure to the influence of the atmosphere fora suitable time, say about four da s, with frequent stirring so that thenick ime or calcium oxid becomes air-slake There is also provided acaustic alkali referably white caustic potash, and iron fi ings. Of thecalcined oyster shells and air-slaked calcium oxid there are taken eachfour parts. Of the white caustic potash there is taken one part and ofthe iron filings there is taken one part. All the ingredients in theform of powder are thoroughly mixed together and water is added untilthe mass is in the form of a soft but consistent paste. A crucible oriron box is filled with this paste and the piece of steel to be softenedis embedded in the mass in such a way as sule it thickness of whichshould be equal to the diameter of the piece of steel. The crucible orbox is now covered with plaster so as to prevent escape of gases. It ismaintained for two or more consecutive hours at a cherry red heat. Thesource o heat is now. turned off without however opening the oven ortouching the crucible or box and the latter is allowed to cool as slowlyas possible. idhen the crucible of box is erfectly cold it is takenoutof the oven and t e piece of steel then possesses the properties 01. andmaleability approaching those of copper. t

While I prefer to use both calcined oyster shells and air-slaked calciumoxid, each'of which contains an alkaline earth'base never- .thelessresults can be obtained by the use of either without the other. V

While I prefer to use caustic potash, as the soluble caustic alkalinevertheless results can be secured by substituting caustic soda.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the'shclls specifiedas oyster shells may be any shells of similar nature. Oyster shells arehowever the most abundant.

I claim as my invention l. A composition for softening steel comprisingan alkaline earth base. a soluble caustic alkali and iron. I

2. A composition for softening steel comprising an alkaline earth base,a soluble caustic alkali and iron formed into a paste with water.

3. A. com osition for softening steel comprising an a kaline earth base,caustic potash and iron. 4. A com osition for softening steel com--prising an a kaline'earth base, caustic potash and'iron formed into apaste with water.

5. A com )osition for softening steel comprising calcined shells, asoluble caustic alkali and iron. 4

6. A composition for softening steel comprising calc ned shells, asoluble caustic alkali and iron formed into a paste with water.

7. A composition for softening steel comprising calcined shells, causticpotash and iron.

to entirely capand have around it a coating the ductibility -prisingcalcined shells, caustic potash and iron formed into a paste \v1tnwater.

with water.

v l com risln calcmecl shells. calcium oxid 1- v V 7 i caustic potashand iron 'filings, in the pro portion of about four parts of calcinedshells; ffour' tic potash zi'ncl one part of iron filings;

13. A composition for softening steel comprising calcium oxicl, causticpotash and iron. 1.4. A composition for softening steel-cornprisingcalcium oxid, caustic potush antl iron E formed into a pastewith Water.

Signed at New elnbei' 1909.'.

8. Aconnoosition for softening steel'c'orrr- 9. A composition for use insoftening'steel comprising Ctllt'lllLtl shells, calcium oxicl, causticpotash and iron-formed iutoa paste 10. A. composition for use insoftening steel comprising;calcined shells, uir slnkcd calcium oxiil,caustic potnsh and iron.

l1. Acon'iposition for use in softeningstecl comprising a mixtureofealcined shells, GEORGE FUNES. DIEZ. calcium oxid, caus tic potash andiron. Vitnesses: J

12. A mixture for use in softening-steel p G. C. EDGAR,

M E.HUFFMAN.

York this 16 day of No parts of calciunio'xicl, one part oi caus-

